Halo: Combat Evolved was the reason many of us got into first person shooters I know it was for me and my friends. Microsoft recently released an HD remake of the classic game now it isn’t always a good idea to remake a classic, but we decided to see how it faired against the test of time and the results are in. Now when reviewing a remake you have to take into account that it is in fact a remake and not an actual game. Now it’s time for the review.

Campaign
The campaign for Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary remains the same as the original if you have played the original then you may or may not be happy to find that they changed absolutely nothing. The game is true to the original and even allows you to switch between the re-mastered and original graphics midgame by pressing the back button. The nostalgia that the game brings is extremely strong when playing on the original setting and worth mentioning. Inclusion of online co-op play, collectable skulls, achievements, and terminals that show the story of Combat evolved in a new light makes the experience even more enjoyable and replay able.  The original music is also in game and can be changed in the settings overall the campaign is a great HD remake the absolutely fantastic a lot of love went into the game and it shows. There was also an inclusion of a 3D feature for people that have a 3D TV that really just ends up coming off as a gimmick it’s a nice little feature but doesn’t bring much to the table. Kinect compatibility was also in the game but not how you might think; kinects mic can be used in game to perform some actions such as reloading and throwing a grenade while it is fun it again comes off as another little gimmick as there was a delay on the actions causing many unneeded deaths. Kinect compatibility does have some more useful and enjoyable tricks such as being able to tell the game to scan objects in game had have then show up in your library while useless over all I found it somewhat fun to simply see what I could scan and collect for my library.

Multiplayer
I was greatly disappointed with the multiplayer aspect of Anniversary and that is all there is to say. Anniversary uses the Reach multiplayer suite instead of its own and it feels half assed. The modified version of the reach suite doesn’t play at all like the original game, the maps while some of the greatest in Halo history they don’t do much to salvage the multiplayer. The maps are even available by download from the marketplace making the maps feel more like a “best of” then a full multiplayer experience.

Conclusion
When the nostalgia fades and the spark is gone Anniversary comes off as a well made remake and not much else. While the campaign is well worth it for old fans who wish to relive their old stomping grounds, getting some gamer score along the way and noobs who never got a chance to play the original it is honestly not worth even the reduced price of 40 dollars. Filled with many little tricks and a sorry excuse for a multiplayer Anniversary doesn’t do itself many favors if you don’t have a friend to play through the campaign with you it may not be worth it and you might be better off waiting to pick it up used or simply not getting it. The multiplayer maps can be bought for 1200 Microsoft points and many people may be better off getting that instead of the full game. Overall I had mixed feeling about the game some good and some bad for the hardcore Halo fan this is a must buy, but for the average gamer I wouldn’t recommend getting it at full price.